A blue and white 'Shou' box and cover. Ming Dynasty, Wanli Period. Photo Sotheby's

of circular form, the domed cover painted to the centre with a shou character within a double circle, surrounded by eight converging sprays of flowering lotus pods supporting the bajixiang emblems amid leafy foliage, the rounded sides painted with undulating leafy scrolls of lotus pods each supporting a Chinese character forming an inscription reading tiankai shouyu, fuji xianban ('The heavens opened to the land of longevity and happiness reaches the immortals'), the sides of the box with a meandering lotus scroll enclosing another inscription reading fushou kangning, yongbao changsheng ('May the long life be filled with happiness, longevity, health and composure'), the rims and foot encircled with foliate scroll bands. Quantity: 2 - 21.5cm., 8 1/2 in. Estimate 15,000-25,000 GBP. Unsold

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 09 Nov 2011 www.sothebys.com